While such a beautiful resort has everything you need for a short or lengthy stay in Mexico, there are also lots of fun activities for couples or families that are available off grounds. One that we sampled was swimming with dolphins. If you’re planning a trip to Playa Del Carmen, a stay at Grand Velas can be combined with this or other activities. See their dolphins package for more information.

Swimming with Dolphins in Mexico

We arrived at Dolphin Discovery on a cloudy day. Perfect afternoon for an excursion. The leader of the program was a charismatic man who clearly loved working with dolphins, Remón and Diana. The small group started with a dolphin kiss and hand shake. The latter felt more like a dance. Dolphin Kiss in Mexico

After that introduction to Remón and Diana, each member of the group had an opportunity to swim with the two dolphins. The swim is exciting and quick. While you might have a few nerves as they take off, it is a safe experience that you’ll want to do again.

In addition to the dolphin swim, participants get to partake in some dolphin tricks including playing with a ball and a dolphin jump. We were also treated to holding a manatee and a brief swim near sting rays and sharks in a separate area. Be aware that cameras are not allowed. There will, however, be a photographer taking photos that will later be available for purchase.

The dolphin encounter involves quite a few activities and a significant time with the animals. It will be nice to get back to Grand Velas with their friendly and attentive service afterwards. A relaxing seat on the beach or a drink at the swim-up pool bar is highly recommended.

This stay at Grand Velas was courtesy of Grand Velas Riviera Maya. The dolphin encounter was courtesy of Dolphin Discovery. The content and opinions in the article are those of the author.

___________________________________________________________________________________Gennaro Salamone is the founder and editor of Enduring Wanderlust. Feel free to contact him with questions, comments, or inquiries with reference to contributing an article or photograph for publication.

China made the biggest jump passing Spain, Italy, and the United Kingdom to reach third on the list. Another Asian country, Malaysia, is a surprising entry in the top ten most popular countries to visit. A past visit to Kuala Lumpur leads me to believe this is largely based on business travelers to the capital city. The rest of the list especially France, Spain, Italy, and the United States have been mainstays for many years.

Another important note from the UNWTO study was that world tourism arrivals went up this past year after dropping in the previous year. That was the first drop in overall tourism in the past two decades.

Check out this chart: Why do people travel?
___________________________________________________________________________________Gennaro Salamone is the founder and editor of Enduring Wanderlust. Feel free to contact him with questions, comments, or inquiries with reference to contributing an article or photograph for publication.

Two options for training to become a bullfighter are the Dennis C. Borba Bullfighting School and the California Academy of Tauromaquia. The former offers workshops lasting three days. Be aware that the class doesn’t come without risk. The WSJ reported that one man’s cape got caught under the animal’s hoof knocking him to the floor. Though the trainer, Dennis Borba was quick to intercede. As Ernest Hemingway wrote in Death in the Afternoon, “bullfighting is the only art in which the artist is in danger of death.” The latter choice has intensive classes located in San Diego, California and Mexico. The courses are completely bloodless and focus only on the moves and traditions of the bullfighters.
___________________________________________________________________________________Gennaro Salamone is the founder and editor of Enduring Wanderlust. Feel free to contact him with questions, comments, or inquiries with reference to contributing an article or photograph for publication.

With Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano recently saying that American tourists are not targets of the violence and should be safe in the tourist areas of Mexico, it’s a wonder why the media coverage was so extreme. There are certainly areas of Mexico that require caution for visitors, but few travelers venture into those places. It’s a matter of being informed before traveling. It’s a good idea to read the U.S. State Department’s document targeted at keeping spring-breakers safe. Consider reading a few blogs that cover travel in Mexico too, including Travelojos, for another view on the situation there.

Would a safety alert change your travel plans? if given the opportunity, would you visit Mexico this week.

Read about the U.S. Senate’s bill that would lift the travel ban to Cuba or the beautiful islands of Belize.
___________________________________________________________________________________Gennaro Salamone is the founder and editor of Enduring Wanderlust. Feel free to contact him with questions, comments, or inquiries with reference to contributing a travel article or photograph for publication.

Passport cards are less expensive than passport books, costing $45 (valid for 10 years) for first-time adult passport applicants and $35 (valid for 5 years) for minors under 16 years old. The card is ideal for those who regularly travel across the land or sea borders of Mexico, Canada, or the Caribbean. This is also the best option for Americans who were previously using their driver’s licenses to enter the previously mentioned destinations according to Yahoo! News.

Read about the Québec Winter Carnival or new rules for visa-waiver travelers entering the United States.
___________________________________________________________________________________Gennaro Salamone is the founder and editor of Enduring Wanderlust. Feel free to contact him with questions, comments, or inquiries with reference to contributing a travel article or photograph for publication.

Sleeping in an airport, for a night, before a flight is common among travelers who are attempting to save a few dollars on hotel costs. Websites like The Guide to Sleeping in Airports have been developed around the concept. An interesting story out of Mexico City ran recently about this phenomenon. Mexico City Airport ® 00ucci

Over the past few months, a Japanese man has taken it to a new level by moving into Mexico City’s Benito Juarez International Airport. As of the new year, Mr. Nohara has finally found a new residence–in an apartment. Amazing that someone could fly under the radar for such a long period of time.
___________________________________________________________________________________Gennaro Salamone is the founder and editor of Enduring Wanderlust. Feel free to contact him with questions, comments, or inquiries with reference to contributing a travel article or photograph for publication.